Bellefontaine’s girls swim team started the season with a win Tuesday during a tri-meet with Minster and Botkins at the Hilliker Y.
The Chieftain girls rolled to first place with 85 points, the Wildcats took second with 36 points and Botkins was third with 11 points.
Minter won the boys meet with 72 points, Bellefontaine came in second with 46 points and Botkins took third with 30 points.
“This girls team walked into the season ready to fill big shoes after such a dominant season last year and they are off to a strong start,” said BHS head coach Sharon Lewis. “They are working hard every day in practice and have to work through these first several meets in order to see the biggest time drop at the end of the season.
“Our boys are off to a strong start. They are working hard every day in practice and have to work through these first several meets in order to see the biggest time drop at the end of the season. I was proud of our team for being tough tonight.”
Earning wins for the Chieftain girls were Sarah Starkey in the 100 breaststroke (1:18.9) and 200 freestyle (2:10.9), Abby Kite in the 50 freestyle (27.5) and 100 butterfly (1:14.1), Morgan Henry in the 100 freestyle (59.7) and 100 backstroke (1:08.9), the 200 medley relay of Sarah Fulmer, Sarah Starkey, Kite and Chloe Reynolds (2:07.5) and the 400 freestyle relay of Joslyn Robinson, Henry, Kite and Sarah Starkey (4:29.3).
Finishing second were Samantha Starkey in the 500 freestyle (6:38.02), Vivian Eader in the 100 butterfly (1:42.3), the 200 medley relay of Gabby Stolly, Alyvia Steggeman, Maddi Jackson and Samantha Starkey (2:24.4) and the 200 freestyle relay of Stolly, Morgan Brugler, Jenna Smith and Eader (2:23.6).
Bellefontaine’s boys saw second-place efforts from Jared Salyer in the 100 freestyle (58.6) and 200 individual medley (2:33.8), Brandon Gamble in the 100 butterfly (1:21.2), Preston Henry in the 100 breaststroke (1:17.5), Quinton Bible in the 200 freestyle (2:29.4), the 200 medley relay of Aidan Mifsud, Imanol Calderon, Gamble and Jason Miller (2:11.9) and the 400 freestyle relay of Bible, Gamble, Miller and Blake McDonald (4:31.8).
Bellefontaine swims again Saturday at the Trotwood-Madison Invitational.